Wow! What you wrote is something I really connected with. I grew up in a really similar situation with similar feelings growing up. It’s hard expaining to your friends and family back home that you’re not running FROM something, your running TOWARD something. That said, here’s where I stand 7 years after taking off from ‘Spring-ding’ MO.

I don’t regret it at all. I do regret not being there when my sister had breast cancer, or when my nephew announced last month that he signed up for the Marines (thank god the Dems kicked ass last night!). That’s why I really look forward to visiting family back home, whether it’s during my sister’s chemo or Thanksgiving when I get to visit with my nephew before he enters basic training. I also REALLY appreciate when my family and friends have come out to visit me (FYI, I got a new job, am out of debt, and DO plan to visit you in HI in 2007).

Now, THAT being said, I’m usually ready to return to Asheville from MO once my stay is over. Yeah, I get guilt trips from my mom, even though I remind her I’ve come back to visit at least 20x since I moved.

I guess what I’m saying is that it’s important to return home to visit from time-to-time. It’s definitely harder to do that, seeing that a plane ticket can cost $1,000, compaired to $200 in gas to drive. So you may not do it as frequently, but do it sometime. Hey, that’s when you get the, “Hawaii, huh? Wow Wellington, what’s that like?”.

Just to be clear, I want you to know I fully support your move, and hope you make many jumps in your life. I like visiting friends that have moved away, and do want to come see you in HI, or whereever you are. Whether HI, Asheville or Tibet, I look forward to sharing a good beer and visiting in person, girl!

~Bobby